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Despicable Me gallery

What parents need to know

Educational value

Kids learn that even so-called "evil" people are still human beings who long to be recognized and loved. Gru shows that not all "evil" people are unredeemable.

Positive messages

Although ultimately all ends well and Gru and the girls form a happy family and learn that even "bad guys" can have a change of heart, some themes/lines in the movie could be upsetting for families with adopted children. Gru initially adopts the kids (in a very easy manner) for selfish reasons, and then he actually returns them to the orphanage. And Miss Hattie says some intentionally hurtful things to the the girls (like "You're never going to be adopted. You know that, don't you?") and portrays orphanage directors as cold-hearted and unfeeling. She puts the girls in a "Box of Shame" as punishment and forces kids to do manual labor. Some crude humor, as when a minion photocopies his rear end, and some butt-shaking dance moves.

Positive role models

The girls are strong role models amidst all the villains. They're sweet, helpful, and generous, and they take care of and comfort each other, even when other adults can't step into care-giving roles. Gru, though a villain, changes for the better and ends up with the family bonds he always wanted.

Violence & scariness

All of the violence is cartoonish and doesn't feel realistic -- though there are lots of jokes and gags about super weapons and crime, as well as one potentially upsetting scene in which a little girl is put in a "nail box" and a squished juice box briefly implies blood (but no one is hurt). The Minions "communicate" with each other through slapstick moves like punches and shoves. There's a Bank of Evil that bankrolls villains' high-concept crimes -- like stealing the wonders of the world (or, in Gru's case, the moon). Several explosions and gun violence that never quite kills anyone but does injure folks and sends a couple of characters into orbit.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Despicable Me centers around a supervillain (voiced by Steve Carell) who adopts three girls for the sole purpose of infiltrating his nemesis' house. Yes, you can expect mild insults like "stupid" and "poop" and a lot of action sequences involving high-tech weapons that blast things to smithereens, as well as some scenes that imply injury -- although no one is ever killed or seriously injured. But the most potentially disturbing aspect of the movie is the way that adoption is depicted -- at least at first. Families with adopted children may feel extra-sensitive about the way that orphans, orphanage directors, and the entire adoption process is handled. It's all played for laughs, yes, but some of it feels a little grim. Still, the movie's overall message is that even someone considered "evil" can have a change of heart, and that's a good lesson, considering that most movies portray good and evil as absolutes. (Note: The movie is being shown in 3-D in some theaters, which could make certain portions more intense for young viewers.)

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's the story?

Supervillain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) has made a name for himself stealing things like the Times Square JumboTron and the Statue of Liberty, but he's being outshone by Vector (Jason Segel), a younger villain who stole the Egyptian pyramids. In an attempt to out-do Vector, Gru asks the Bank of Evil to bankroll his mission to steal the moon. When Vector grabs a shrink ray Gru needs for his scheme, he decides to adopt to three young orphans -- Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Elsie Fisher) -- who have access to Vector's heavily guarded lair thanks to their part-time job selling cookies. But once the girls are in his care, Gru has to learn how to parent the orphans that he initially only adopted for selfish reasons. Eventually, he must decide between his mission and his role as a hesitant new father-figure to three sweet little girls.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

The best movie villains gleefully chew up the scenery, either because they're so creepily eeeevil (Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter, Voldemort), or because they're larger than life (the Terminator, Cruella de Vil, the Wicked Witch of the West). So it's a unique twist to see an animated movie that focuses on the villain -- in this case Carell's thickly accented Gru. He doesn't turn hero overnight, but he's not a one-dimensional tyrant, either. He's got mommy issues (his mom, played by Julie Andrews, is the stereotypically overlycritical mother who's never pleased with her son's accomplishments), he's older and not as "bankable" as he used to be, and he really needs a buzzed-about scheme to go his way. Enter the three little orphans, the youngest of whom (Agnes) is so irresistably adorable she's like a human Puss 'N Boots.

Carell may be the draw for DESPICABLE ME, and he does a wonderful job -- as always -- with his voice acting. But it's the girls who are the most impressive. They know exactly how to convey hurt, disappointment, joy, and wonder -- not an easy task for young actors. Segel's Vector is that fabulous combination of super nerdy and super arrogant, exactly the sort of villain (and person) who would rankle an old-school villain like Gru. It's easy to root for Gru when his nemesis is such a jerk. The movie also features a wonderfully catchy and unique soundtrack by hip-hop performer/producer Pharrell Williams, and, to its credit, the 3-D is actually enjoyable, as opposed to irritating. Will Gru rank among the greatest villains of all time? No, because in the end, he's actually got a heart -- and a large one at that.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about the fact that this story centers around a "villain" instead of a "hero." Is that typical? How does Gru change over the course of the movie? What happens that affects his attitude?

How are orphans depicted in the movie? What about orphanages? Do you think that's how orphans must be treated/feel? Name some other famous orphans in movies and books.

How does the cartoon action in this movie compare to others you've seen? Does this kind of media violence have more or less impact than what's in live-action movies? Why?

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What parents and kids say

A very loveable movie

9.3/10
I love despicable me. It is such a sweet movie. Really funny. I can't believe I'm saying that there is animated nudity in this.3 of the minions take copies of their butts and we see it. A bit of crude humor but in a pg way. Anyway watch this it is so great!

Please do not take adopted children to this movie!!!!

This movie, sadly, depicts adoption and "unwanted" children in in very negative way. The little girls in the movies pray for a forever family are finally "taken " by a creepy man and then given back !!!!!!!!! All the while being abused by their "guardian" in the orphanage while waiting to be "wanted" by a family. I was horrified as I sat next to my precious 7 yr.old adopted child. I wanted to cover his ears and remind him that no matter how poorly Hollywood depicts adoptive children that adoption is forever and parent's don't return children like they are expired groceries. I would have never taken my baby to this movie if I had known what depressing, damaging and incorrect information he would have been exposed to.

Good movie for the young ones!

Don't dismiss it based on the PG rating. I personally loved this movie. I didn't bring my son since I'd made that mistake with Toy Story 3, which was too dark and scary for him (and it was rated G ! ) But I wish I'd taken him to this one instead. Ok, so there is some shooting (no one gets hurt), and a butt and fart joke, and then there's the hole in the juicebox issue (looks like blood), but overall, the mood is MUCH lighter than Toy Story 3, and it isn't mean, no one actually gets hurt, in fact the main character, an evil villain, ends up a single dad with his heart warmed by 3 orphans. And the minions are funny! So if you feel your child is ready for a big kid movie, I'd suggest this one over Toy Story 3. I'm going to bring my 3 year old back to see it!

Excellent for all ages!

I loved this movie and so did my kids. That said, there were a few moments that made us uncomfortable. My children are adopted and the early views of the Girls Home and the horrible woman who puts them in a cardboard box for not selling enough cookies or some other infraction was a bit gut wrenching.
That said - the rest of the movie is wonderful. It shows a family coming together, love blooming and friends pulling together toward a common goal all with a lot of laughter to tie it all together. We will definitely be adding this to our DVD collection.

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